Naomi Watts Celebrates Her Canine Co-Star at NYC Film Premiere

NEW YORK CITY, March 25, 2025 — Naomi Watts dazzled at the New York City premiere of her new film, The Friend, on March 24, bringing along her co-star Bing, a Great Dane, who turned heads on the red carpet.

Watts, 56, wore a stunning open-back white gown adorned with black furry spots, closely resembling Bing’s coat. The dynamic duo captured the spotlight, with Bing enjoying a moment alone on the carpet before Watts showered him with affection and treats, a heartwarming display recorded by the press.

At the premiere, Watts expressed her admiration for Bing, stating, “Every day he brought something special and surprised us every step of the way.” The actress continued, remarking on the common adage of not working with animals or children, highlighting that Bing exceeded expectations, saying, “He really blew us all away, impossible tasks sometimes as well. He’s a very soulful dog.”

In The Friend, Watts portrays Iris, a New York novelist who finds herself caring for her late friend’s Great Dane, Apollo, after his unexpected death. The film follows Iris as she navigates the complexities of grief while preserving her friend’s literary legacy.

The official synopsis describes, “After the unexpected death of her closest friend and mentor, New York novelist and writing teacher Iris becomes the caretaker of both his literary legacy and his beloved Great Dane, Apollo.” Alongside Watts, Bill Murray plays the pivotal role of Walter, Iris’s deceased friend.

Prior to the premiere, Watts shared a touching video on social media capturing the moment she wrapped her last scene. The clip featured a crew member celebrating her final shot while Bing added his vocal touch with barking, eliciting laughter and applause from the cast and crew.

“Howls all around! THE FRIEND was so, so special to film. And every time an actor wrapped their work on the film, Bing would give us a special send-off 🐶,” Watts captioned the video. The film is set for limited theatrical release in New York City on March 28, with a nationwide rollout scheduled for April 4.